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Circus animals draw fierce debate

ASHLEY HALL: For centuries, crowds have flocked to circuses to witness dazzling performances by acrobats, magicians and exotic animals.

It's a spectacle that dates back to ancient Rome and animal welfare groups say that's where it belongs.

They say forcing lions, tigers and elephants to spend their lives in a travelling circus amounts to cruelty. And while some local governments have banned the practice, Queensland's tourism capital wants to bring it back.

David Lewis reports.

DAVID LEWIS: Mark Robinson is helping to assemble a giant red tent.

(Sound of hammering)

His small, family-run circus has come to the Gold Coast. He's been in the business since he was a child.

MARK ROBINSON: I actually grew up in a traditional circus, so I've grown up with lions and tigers and monkeys and baboons and camels and all sorts of things.

DAVID LEWIS: These days, however, his companions are less exotic.

MARK ROBINSON: We have Darth the performing pony, who will be working here on Australia Day, we have our disappearing ducks which will be here as well and my daughter has a beautiful magic dove routine.

DAVID LEWIS: It's a far cry from Siegfried and Roy, but that's all the Gold Coast City Council currently allows. In 2009, it banned circuses with exotic animals from performing on council land.

DAWN CHRICHLOW: This was such a nonsense! Such a nonsense!

DAVID LEWIS: Dawn Crichlow is one of the city's longest serving councillors. She was sitting in the chambers when the former mayor, Ron Clarke, proposed the ban due to animal welfare concerns.

DAWN CRICHLOW: And it got through and I was amazed. You know, there was literally no debate on it.

DAVID LEWIS: The president of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals) in Queensland, Michael Beatty, disagrees.

MICHAEL BEATTY: We're not saying that the people who are running the circuses and involved with the animals - we're not saying in any manner, shape or form that they don't love those animals because I'm sure they do. But in this day and age, having exotic animals travelling in wagons, travelling around the country, basically not being able to exhibit their natural behaviours, we believe that that day is gone.

DAVID LEWIS: Mr Beatty says community attitudes are changing and circus audiences don't want to see lions jump through hoops or elephants balancing on stools. MICHAEL BEATTY: And we certainly don't believe that children in any manner, shape or form learn anything about those exotic animals by seeing them perform tricks.

DAVID LEWIS: The Gold Coast City Council has decided to revisit the issue at its next full meeting on Tuesday.

The RSPCA is determined to make sure the ban remains in place.

Michael Beatty again.

MICHAEL BEATTY: We believe that if the ban is overturned, it's a step backwards. And that's sad because there are scores of councils all over Australia that have this same ban in place and we were delighted when the Gold Coast City Council, along with Ipswich and Cairns all decided to institute their own bans.

DAVID LEWIS: Back inside the big rent tent, the debate is weighing heavily on the mind of circus operator Mark Robinson as he counts down to show time.

MARK ROBINSON: I do hope the ban is overturned on Tuesday. As far as I'm concerned a circus is not a circus without animals, specifically exotics.

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